In My Own Skin: The Complexity of Living as an Arab in America

Byrd, N., & Jajeh, J. (Producers & Directors). (2001). In my own skin: The complexity of living as an Arab in America [Documentary]. Seattle, WA: Arab Film Distribution.

Summary: Five women, all Arab-American and all living in New York at the time of the September 11 attacks, come from different backgrounds and have vastly different opinions, but they are united in their struggle to find their place in American society. Each woman has a different idea of what it means to be Arab and of what it means to be American, and each shares her feelings and opinions in the wake of a fervor of anti-Arab sentiment. One woman explains her liberating decision to wear a veil, another describes her fear of returning to school after a terrorist attack, and still another expresses her almost militant desire to show Americans what it truly means to be Arab. Each woman’s story is a mix of the joys, sorrows, and contentions of being a part of two such different realms.

Standard(s): California History/Social Science 7.2: Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of civilizations of Islam in the Middle Ages; California History/Social Science 7.2.6: Understand the intellectual exchanges among Muslim scholars of Eurasia and Africa and the contributions Muslim scholars made to later civilizations in the areas of science, geography, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, art, and literature.

Suggested age range: 11 and up (film not rated)

Annotation: Nikki Byrd and Jennifer Jajeh’s documentary provides an intimate look at the struggles many Arab-Americans experience as they try to make their lives in the United States. Filmed just after the September 11 attacks, the documentary captures the conflict these women feel as they struggle to balance their pride in their heritage with their desire to be American in light of an atrocity for which much of America holds all Arabs accountable. Their candid interviews offer viewers great insight into what it is to be Arab and American, and will inspire viewers to be accepting and open-minded toward Arab-Americans. The information offered in this documentary is an excellent supplement for students studying Islam because it connects the Arab roots of Islam with Arab-Americans today, again providing viewers with a greater understanding of that growing immigrant population.

Subjects/themes: Arab-Americans, racism, September 11, immigration/assimilation, culture, identity

Awards:

• YALSA Selected Videos & DVDs for Young Adults

High interest annotation: Five Arab-American women share their struggles to fit into a society that resents them because of their heritage.